Folding machine



C. W. BRENN FOLDING MACHINE Oct. 8, 1935.

Filed Aug. 1, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 8, 1935.

c. w. BRENN FOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m- AZ ORNEY Oct. 8, 1935.

c. w. BRENN FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1931' 3 Sheets-Sheet 5chkmfgilffff BYcqj AT NEY Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to folding fabric strips, and more particularly,to means for folding continuous paper strips in zigzag fashion to form apile or stack for use in manifolding machines and '5 the like.

Such paper strips usually consist of a succession of connected leaves orprinted forms between each two of which there is provided a transverseweakening line, and it is along this line that the strips are folded. Ingeneral, it is, of course, highly desirable to have the zigzag foldedpile perfectly square and true, and for this reason it is important thatthe strips be folded exactly on the transverse weakening line which isaccurately produced in the web by the printing press. When used formanifolding machines, it is important that the fold be produced on theweakening line so that there will be no tendency for the strip to tearalong the fold instead of along the line of weakness.

Heretofore, many attempts have been made to fold such strips. In myPatent, #1,805,161, granted May 12, 1931, there is disclosed a foldingmachine which does accurately fold the strips on the lines ofperforations because the nature of the mechanism is such that the foldis formed by reason of the line of perforations and not because of anicely timed and accurately operating mechanism. The device of my priorpatent, however,

is adapted for use Where the web feeds intermittentlypart of the foldingmechanism operating during the period of intermission.

An object of this invention is to provide a folding device forcontinuous strips which is capable of operating on a continuouslyfeeding strip and in which both the right and left hand folds areproduced while the web is feeding at a high rate of speed. Such a devicemay be used with a rotary press which has a higher speed and greater 4Oroduction than the presses, usually flat, which feed intermittently.

The object of this invention is attained by providing mechanism forforming preliminary loops or bends in the strip as it is fed and thenapply- 45 ing pressure to the loop so that the latter breaks on the lineof perforations. Once having been broken, a crease or fold is formedwhich, in the subsequent operations of the device, is pressed downtightly to form a compact fold.

50 The objects of this invention may be carried out by various means.For instance, as in one illustrated embodiment of the invention, thefolding of the web may be produced by streams of air, or other fluid,applied to the preliminary loop.

55 In another form, the folds are produced by a wiping device p eferablyof flexible material, which engages tne preliminary loop and flattensit, causing the loop to break on the line of perforations. Again, inanother form of this invention, oscillating fingers are employed fordoing 5 this.

In the broader aspects of the invention, the preliminary loop may besupported on one side by any suitable means while pressure is applied onthe other side to break the loop and form a fold, 10 but it ispreferable and one of the features of this invention, to have the foldsformed on the previously folded portion of the Web, that is, directlyupon the top of the stack, and for this purpose the present inventionprovides a constant level 15 stacking device for supporting the stackduring the folding operation and maintaining the top of the stack alwaysin a predetermined position relative to the fold-producing means.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter '20 appear.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a sectional view of a foldingmachine formi-ng one physical embodiment of this invention. 25

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the part shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the form of the invention shown inFigs. 1 and 2, showing the web being forced down toward the zigzagfolded 30 pile to produce the initial loop or bend ultimately formingthe right hand fold; Fig. 4 is a similar view, but shows the web stillfurther advanced and. just before the pressure is applied to the top ofthe loop by the blast of air; Fig. 5 shows the 35 right hand loopformed; and, Fig. 6 shows the preliminary loop, which producesultimately the left hand fold, being formed,

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are sectional views of a two-way valve used in the formof the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6; Fig. 7 showing the valve in itsnormal condition, and Figs. 8 and 9 showing the position of the valveduring the breaking of the web to form the right and left hand folds,respectively.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of another form of this invention in whichthe folds are produced by flexible arms adapted to engage thepreliminary loop at the proper time.

Fig. 11 is a similar view, showing the right hand fold being formed.Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. 10 of another physical embodiment ofthis invention, wherein the folds are'formed by oscillating armsengaging and pressing down the preliminary loop in the web.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 11, showingthe right hand fold beingformed and the previously formed left hand fold being pressed down atthe same time.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a slidable foldsupporting shelf.

In the accompanying drawings, the printing press proper is notillustrated because the present invention may be used with printingpresses of various kinds and with other feeding devices, both continuousand intermittently operated, and it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art how the device of the present invention may be attached to anddriven by any particular printing press, or other device.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, is atpresent considered preferable because of its simplicity in structure andoperation, and comprises a main frame I6 formed of two similar sideplates l1 and I8, each having a horizontal upper arm l9 and a lower arm29 which may, if desired, be cast as an integral part of the frame ofthe printing press or the like with which the folding machine of thepresent invention is intended to be used, or, it may be provided withbrackets or other suitable clamping means by means of which it may beattached to any printing press.

The side plates I1 and [8 are also provided with vertical arms 2| whichextend downwardly toward the floor, and at their lower ends areinterconnected with a cross bar or web 22 which serves as a base for astacker 23 employed by the present invention. The cross member may bemade integral with the side plates, or it may be a separate piecesuitably fastened to the lower end of both of the arms 2!.

The stacker 23 may comprise a bottom plate 29 fixed to the base 22 withscrews 25 and provided with vertical standards 26 and 21 which serve toprevent displacement of the pile and serve as a guide for a movableplatform 28. The latter comprises a substantially rectangular platerecessed at its sides to accommodate the standards 26 and 27 to beguided thereby, and on its underside is provided with a boss 29 having arotatable connection with the upper end of a screw 39. The screw extendsdownwardly through a boss 3! and through .the plate 24 and base 22 andhas a nut 32 threaded thereon which serves to limit and control movementof the platform. The nut is provided with a worm thread 33 havingdriving engagement with a worm 34 mounted on a shaft 35 having suitablebearings in the vertical arms 2| and having a driving connection 36 witha feed mechanism 31 for the paper webs and operates in predeterminedunison therewith.

The folding machine of the present invention comprises a web feedingdevice having a pair of pressure rollers 38 and 39 mounted on shafts #59and All, respectively, which are suitably journaled in the main frameside plates l1 and I8. Rotation of the feed rollers is produced througha drive shaft 42, having suitable connection to the main feedingmechanism of the printing press, journaled in a bracket 43 on the sideplate H and being provided at its front end with a bevel gear 44 whichmeshes with a cooperating bevel gear 55 fixed to the end of the shaft 49of the roller 38. The arrangement is such that the feed rollers 38 and39 are driven at the same peripheral speed as the printing press feedingmechanism.

An idler roller 46 is'also mounted between the side plates l1 and I8 forfree rotation on a shaft 41 and is preferably on a plane with the web asit issues from the printing press. A chain drive 48 is provided betweena sprocket wheel 49 on the feed roller 38 and a slightly larger sprocketwheel 59 on the idler roller shaft fill.

Operation of the device thus far described re- 5 quires merely takingthe web 5!, feeding it a short surplus length from the printing press,then passing this surplus over the idler roller 2-9 downwardly throughthe feed rollers 38 and 39, and into the upper end of the container 23.The plat- 10 form 28 is moved to the raised station where the top of theplatform engages the underside 5 3 of the standard cross bars 55 bymerely lifting the platform and screw to this station and spinning thenut 32 downwardly on the shaft 39 until it 15 engages the top of theboss 3i, in which position it will be retained.

If desired, platform raising movement may be effected by providing acrank 59 on the worm shaft 35 and any usual clutch or slip-connection,20 so that the main drive 36 may be disconnected while the crank 59 isrotated. Thus, it is merely necessary for the operator to cut out themain drive 36 and rotate the crank until the platform is moved to thedesired upper station, then close 25 the clutch or slip-connectionagain.

The outer end of the web is laid upon the platform 29 and, as it hassufiicient free length, several right-hand and left-hand folds may bemade therein, whereupon the printing press may be operated in the usualmanner.

As the printing press operates, the web 58 issues from it in thedirection of the arrow in Fig.

1, and is pulled over the idler es downwardly between feed rollers 33and 39 into the container 35 23 where, due to the downward pressure ofthe paper by the feed rollers 38 and 39 and means provided by thepresent invention, it is folded upon itself.

The feed rollers 38 and 39 and the stacker 23 are so located relativelythat the bight of the feed rollers is substantially midway between thepoints of the right and left hand folds, and the feed rollers arelocated far enough above the stacker platform 28 or the top of the pileor stack P thereon so that as the feed rollers are operated, the web ispushed downwardly onto the pile P or the platform of the stacker 23, toprovide a slack in the web sufiicient to form a loop rising from thestack or pile P to the pressure rollers 38 and 39.

If the fold just previously formed in the web is a left hand fold, theloop L will bend toward the right-hand side of the stack, as shown inFig. 3. As the advancing continues, the loop will be eX- 55 tended andmore convex, for instance as shown in Fig. 4.

When it is in this condition, according to the present invention,pressure is applied in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. i to theloop to reverse and flatten it out. When pressure is applied to theloop, the loop will break at the line of perforations P which is theweakest part of the web in the loop, and the means applying the force ismade sufficient to substantially flatten out the web adjacent the lineof perforations, and thus produce the fold F, as shown in Fig. 5. Thefeeding of the web continues during this operation and causes a loop Lto be formed bulging toward the left-hand side of the stack. This loopbe- 70 comes larger as the web is forced down and finally pressure isapplied in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 6 to cause the webto break on the line of perforations P2 and form the left-hand fold.

When this left-hand fold is formed, the means which applies pressure tothe loo-p to break the loop on the line of perforations also appliespressure to the previously formed left-hand fold which is thereby stillfurther flattened out. When the left-hand fold is reversed and flatteneddown, the web, in being advanced, will form a right-hand loop L as shownin Fig. 3, and these operations continue in that sequence.

If desired, the loop L may be kept within bounds so as to properly beoperated upon by the pressure applying means by guide plates 52 and 53which extend upwardly from the stacker toward the pressure rollers 38and 39, and form a chute or channel in which the web is confined duringthe folding operation. Provision of these guide plates 52 and 53 and theresulting channel in which the web is folded permits the web to be fedand folded at a higher rate of speed.

The pressure for breaking and finally creasing and folding the web in apile may be obtained in divers ways-several being shown in theaccompanying drawings.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, thepressure is applied by blasts of air, the device comprising a pair oflong narrow nozzles 60 and 6| overlying points of the righthand andleft-hand folds in the pile P and connected to a suitable source offluid pressure through a line 64. The nozzles are provided with a seriesof plates 65 on the interior thereof, to effect an even distribution offluid pressure along the entire long opening.

Preferably, the fluid pressure line 64 is provided with a two-way valve66 adapted to be controlled by the feed mechanism 31 in such manner thatthe fluid pressure is released only at predetermined times. To this endthere is provided a segmental gear 61 fixed to the valve plug 68 and amating segmental gear 69 on the lower end of a lever 16 pivotallymounted on a stud I I and having a roller 12 at its upper end engaging acam disk 13 mounted on a shaft 14. A gear E5 on the idler roller shaft41 meshes with a gear l6 on the cam disk 13 to rotate the latter inexact predetermined ratio with the feed rollers. A spring 11 connectedto the pipe 18 and to a finger 19 on the lever 'lll normally tends tokeep the roller 12 in engagement with the periphery of the cam disk I3.

With this mechanism, the web is advanced in the manner hereinbeforedescribed to the station shown in 'Fig. 4, and upon further advance ofthe feeding mechanism, the cam disk 13 is rotated by the chain 48 untilthe lobe 8| thereon moves into engagement with the roller 72 and movesthe latter in a counter-clockwise direction against the tension of thespring I! and moves the lever sector 69 in a counter-clockwisedirection, and the latter in turn moves the meshing valve sector 61 inclockwise direction to move the valve plug 68 from the position shown inFig. '7 to the position shown in Fig. 8, whereupon air under pressure ispassed from the line 64 through a valve plug cut-out 82 to the nozzle 68and issues from the latter through slots 85 in the plate 52 downwardlyagainst the loop: L causing the loop to break at the line ofperforations P, reversing the direction of the loop, and pressing thecreased portion firmly against the right-hand fold previously formed.

Almost immediately the lobe moves out of registry with the roller 12 andmoves the roller onto a dwell 80, whereupon the valve plug 68 is againmoved to the neutral non-feeding position, shown in Fig. '7, and thesheet of paper lays down and across the top of the pile 63 toward theleft until the natural bowed portion engages the inwardly extendingplate 52 while the latter forms the initial left hand loop L, as shownin Fig. 6, and at a predetermined point a notch 86 of the rotating camdisk 13 rides into engagement with the roller 12 to move the leversector 69 in a clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 11while the latter moves the cooperating valve plug sector 61 in acounter-clockwise direction until the valve plug 68 is moved into theposition shown in Fig. 9, whereupon the air under pressure passes fromthe line 64 through a plug cut-out 82 through a pipe 88 to the nozzle 6|where it in turn passes through suitable slots 89 in the plate 52 tobreak the loop and form a close fitting left-hand fold.

If desired, a one-way valve and one-way release might be provided inplace of the two-way valve 66 and alternating release so that fluidpressure will be released upon both the right-hand and left-hand foldsof the pile as either a righthand or left-hand starting fold is made,but at the present time it is considered preferable to have thealternating arrangement as just described in detail.

The arrangement so far described is such that the pile P itself servesas a platform upon which succeeding right-hand and left-hand folds aremade, but the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited tothis arrangement. For instance, slidable or disappearing tables orshelves as shown in Fig. 14, may be used if desired.

When the pile P is built up to the desired height, either by running thecontinuous strip 5| to its outer end and down through the feed rollers38 and 39, or by cutting the paper as at P2, the zigzag folded pile willbe complete and it may be taken from the stacker 23 for use in anydesired manner. By removing the finished pile and returning the platform28 to its upper station again, it is possible to start and build up anew pile in the same manner as with the pile just removed.

Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive, disclose two other embodiments of the presentinvention, similar to that form shown in Figs. 1 to 10, in the provisionof means for looping the Web as it is advanced by the feeding mechanismand applying pressure to the loops to produce a succession of righthandand left-hand folds in the web, near the apex of succeeding loops, onthe transverse weakening lines.

That form shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is characterized by the provision ofmechanical means instead of fluid pressure means for making the finalfold. To this end there is provided a pair of rotatable shafts 9| and92, having suitable driving connections 93 and 94 with the feedmechanism. Upon the shaft 9| there is secured a sleeve 95 carryingfingers 98 and 98', and upon the other shaft 92 there is provided asimilar sleeve 91 carrying fingers 98 and 98 which are adapted toalternately move down through suitable apertures in the plates 52 and 53upon the initial starting right-hand and left-hand loops in order toapply thereto a pressure producing a final fold. As the continuous web5! is fed through the rollers 38 and 39 a right-hand loop L is formed,as shown in Fig. 10, upon the top sheet of the pile P, and uponcontinued rotation of 1e feed mechanism 31, the rotating finger 95 whichis restrained for a time by a transverse fixed rod 99 sweeps past therod down onto the righthand loop L to apply pressure thereto, breaks theloop, sweeps over the crease, and forms a righthand fold.

Upon further rotation of the feed mechanism 31 the finger 96, because ofits resiliency, is moved over and clear of the right-hand side of thepile, and the web 5| is fed across the top of the next succeeding topstrip of the pile just formed, to produce an initial starting left-handfold L similar to the right hand fold L. At the same time the rotatingfinger 98 moves into engagement with the transverse rod I to be bowedand delayed thereby and is then snapped down upon the left-hand loop Lto break the-loop and form a left-hand fol-d. The next succeedingright-hand fold is formed by the rotating finger as and the nextsucceeding left-hand fold is formed by the finger 98' in the same manneras the right-hand and left-hand fold, just described.

Because the fingers sweep down upon and across the loops the break ofthe loop occurs on the transverse weakening lines, rather than at anypoint adjacent it as might occur if positive mechanical means held andfolded the paper web. Thus, the mechanism of the present inventioninsures a good square and true zigzag folded pile which will functionproperly in the manifolding machine or other device in which it isintended to be used.

If desired, the ratio of the driving connections and 94 between the feedmechanism and the rafts 9i and 92 may be such that each of the shaftsneed be provided with but a single finger, d also the drive may bearranged to move the it-hand and left-hand fold forming fingers intoengagement with the pack P each time either a right-hand or left-handfold is formed; such an arrangement being disclosed with that form ofthe invention shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

In the latter form the transverse shafts SI and are provided withnon-yielding fingers IM and I62 respectively, and the driving mechanismis adapted to impart oscillating movement to the fingers, rather thanrotating movement as with the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Thearrangement is such that right-hand and lefthand loops are formed andthe oscillating fingers and I02 move down upon the looped portion of thewebs, to the position shown in Fig. 13 to break the loop and form aright-hand and lefthand final fold, each time either a right-handleft-hand loop is formed.

The driving mechanism I 03 comprises a link having a pitman connectionI05 on the feed roller 38, extending downwardly to a lever I06 mountedon a stud Hill. This latter lever is provided with one link I08extending to an arm I09 on the finger i0! and another link IIO extendingto an arm I II on the finger I02. As the pitman connection is operatedthe link I04 is given a reciprocating movement and in turn oscillatesthe lever m6 and fingers liil and I02.

These fingers I0! and I02 are arranged to be quickly moved back to theinoperative position, shown in Fig. 12, as soon as the operation offorming the fold is completed, so as to be out of he way at the time offorming a loop in the web as the latter is issued from the feedingmechanism 31. If desired, these fingers in the inoperative position,may, as shown, be used to form a of the plates 52 and 53 and therebyassist forming the starting loops.

If preferred, the drive mechanism I03 may, similar to the form shown inFigs. 10 and 11, be such that the fingers i0! and I02 are alternatelyoscillated to move down upon the pile, e. g. the finger IOI moves downupon the loop L to form a right-hand fold and subsequently the leftmadewithin the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements maybe used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and forwhich it is desired to obtain Letters Patent, is

1. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web having transverse weakening lines at regular intervals,cornprising a support; a noncreasing web feeding mechanism located abovethe support adapted to impart to the web an impetus toward the supportcarrying the web to form into alternate right-hand and left-hand loopsaccording to the hand of the previous fold, each loop including atransverse weakening line; and means for fiattening said loops to formright and left-hand folds on the transverse weakening lines.

2. The method of producing a zigzag folded pile from a continuous webhaving transverse weakening lines at regular intervals which consists informing a natural loop in the web to include a transverse weakening linetherein and applying pressure to the loop at one side of said line ofweakness to cause the web to fold at the transverse line of weakness.

3. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web having transverse weakening lines at regular intervals,comprising a web feeding mechanism adapted to impart to the webalternate right-hand and lefthand loops each including a transverseweakening line; and means for directing fluid pressure toward the loopsfor flattening said loops to form right-hand and left-hand folds on thetransverse weakening lines.

4. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web having transverse weakening lines at regular intervals,comprising a support; a noncreasing web feeding mechanism adapted toimpart to the web an impetus toward the support causing the web to forminto alternate right-hand and left-hand loops each including atransverse weakening line; and means for applying pressure to said loopsto break the loop on the transverse line of weakness.

5. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web comprising a noncreasing web feeding mechanism adapted toimpart a rolling right-hand and left-hand travel of the web across thetop of the previously formed portion of the pile and at the same timeform a natural loop in the web; and means for applying pressure to saidloop to break the latter and thereby reverse the travel of the webacross the top of the pile.

6. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile, from acontinuous web having transverse weakening lines at regular intervals,comprising a noncreasing web feeding machanism adapted to impart arolling right-hand and lefthand travel of the web across the top of thepreviously formed portion of the pile and at the same time form a loopin the web, including one of the transverse weakening lines; and meansfor applying pressure to said loop to break the latter on the transverseweakening line and thereby reverse the travel of the web across the topof the pile.

7. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile, from acontinuous web having transverse weakening lines atregular intervals,comprising a noncreasing mechanism for feeding the web continuously andadapted to impart a rolling right-hand and left-hand travel to the weband at the same time produce a natural loop, including a transverse lineof weakness, in the web.

8. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web comprising a support; a noncreasing means to continuouslyfeed the web toward the support with impetus to form alternateright-hand and left-hand loops; web guiding means adapted to shape therighthand and left-hand loops in the webs; separate means for flatteningsaid right and left-hand loops to form folds; and means, having anoperative connection with the feeding means, for operating said separatemeans at predetermined points in the operation of the feeding means toalternately form the right-hand and left-hand fold.

9. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web comprising noncreasing means to continuously feed the weband form preliminary right-hand and left-hand loops; web guiding meansadapted to shape the right-hand and left-hand loops in the webs;separate means for flattening said right and lefthand loops to formfolds; and means, having an operative connection with the feeding means,for operating said separate means at predetermined points in theoperation of the feeding means to form the right-hand and left-handfold.

10. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web comprising a noncreasing web feeding mechanism; means toproduce starting right-hand and left-hand loops in the web as it issuesfrom the feed mechanism; pivotally mounted oscillating fingers adaptedto produce final right-hand and left-hand folds in the web; and adriving connection between the feed mechanism and said fingers forautomatically moving the fingers into operative position atpredetermined points in the operation of the feeding mechanism.

11. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web having transverse weakening lines, comprising a webfeeding mechanism; means to produce starting initial right-hand andleft-hand loops in the Web on the transverse weakening lines as itissues from the feeding mechanism; a pair of nozzles overlying the pilenear the folded ends thereof; an air line connected to said nozzles; anda twoway valve in said air line having an operating connection with thefeeding mechanism adapted to alternately pass a stream of air first toone and then the other of said loops through said nozzles to producefinal right-hand and left-hand folds in the web on the transverseweakening lines.

12. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous Web having transverse weakening lines, comprising a webfeeding mechanism; means to effect starting initial righthand andleft-hand loops in the web on the transverse weakening line as it issuesfrom the feeding mechanism; an air supply line; and a pair of stationarynozzles, connected to said air sup-- ply line, overlying the pile nearthe folded ends thereof and adapted to direct a stream of air on thestarting initial loops and produce final righthand and left-hand foldsin the web.

13. A folding machine for producing a zigzag folded pile from acontinuous web, comprising a web feeding mechanism; an air line; airline nozzles overlying the pile near the .folded ends thereof; and atwo-way valve in the nozzle air line having an operating connection withthe feeding mechanism and controlled thereby to alternately pass astream of air to one and then the other of said nozzles to produce aright-hand and left-hand fold in the Web as it issues from the feedingmechanism.

CARL W. BRENN.

